Christmas is a time for festive cheer, spending time with loved ones and making special memories, but for many children this is far from the reality. So to help spread the Christmas spirit far and wide, Drayton Manor welcomed thousands of underprivileged children to its annual KidsOut Magical Christmas event on Tuesday 6th December.

Welcoming over 2,600 young people including carers, guardians and teachers from across the Midlands to share in everything that is magical and sparkly, Drayton Manor partnered with charity KidsOut and the Rotary International District 1060 to give disadvantaged, disabled and special needs children a free and fun-filled day out.

KidsOut provides enjoyable and positive experiences for children throughout the UK who are living in economic hardship, refuge or with other acute disadvantages. Since 1989, the family owned and run theme park has held an annual KidsOut event every summer and following the huge success of this, now hosts the event over Christmas too. This is the third year in a row that Drayton Manor has invited KidsOut to its Magical Christmas event.

Throughout the day, children could enter into the magic of Europe’s only Thomas Land™ which has been cloaked in thousands of decorations and fairy lights. With festive music, a 30 foot light show Christmas tree set to festive music and a snow shower three times a day in Thomas Land, the children were transported into a Winter wonderland.

But the festivities didn’t stop there; the children were paid a visit by Father Christmas with each child receiving a free gift and a golden ticket to return for the new season in 2017*.

Colin Bryan, CEO at Drayton Manor Park said: “This event is something we all hold dearly in our hearts and it is wonderful to be able to provide these children with special memories over the festive season.”

Gordon Moulds CBE, CEO at KidsOut said: “We’ve had another brilliant year at Drayton Manor’s Magical Christmas event and the children were so excited throughout the whole day. It’s wonderful to be able to give these children a day to remember, so thank you very much to all of the staff at the park for putting on such a great day.”

Further to this, Drayton Manor Park staff have also been busy donating gifts for the KidsOut giving tree. Now becoming an annual event for the staff, they were really pleased to donate multiple presents for disadvantaged and disabled children. Wood End Primary School also got in on the act and donated lots of gifts as well to the amazing cause.